The NFL season is almost upon us! If you haven’t already started placing those NFL futures bets, now is as good a time as any to get started. The NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, unlike some of its counterparts, doesn’t have a straight trend with one position or another. It’s been won by four different defensive positions in the last five seasons. Let’s take a look at the 2025 NFL Best Bets: Defensive Player of the Year odds, trends, and past winners.
Last year, Broncos defensive back Patrick Surtain II picked up the award in his fourth season as a lockdown corner for the team. The bar for the Defensive Player of the Year Award isn’t as high as from a team wins standpoint as the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Awards. Typically, the winner still comes from a team with a winning record, however. Again, the parity over the last 10 years leaves just about every defensive position on the board, and shouldn’t lead to excluding anyone based solely on position. In the past 10 years linebacker has only won the award once, and that was TJ Watt. Defensive ends have won it four times, defensive tackles three times, and cornerbacks twice. Troy Polamalu was the last safety to win the award in 2010.
2025 NFL Best Bets: Defensive Player of the Year Odds, Trends, and Past Winners
Last 10 Winners
2015 DE JJ Watt
2016 DE Khalil Mack
2017 DT Aaron Donald
2018 DT Aaron Donald
2019 CB Stephon Gilmore
2020 DT Aaron Donald
2021 LB TJ Watt
2022 DE Nick Bosa
2023 DE Myles Garrett
2024 CB Patrick Surtain II
2025 DPOTY Odds
Micah Parsons +600
Aidan Hutchinson +700
Myles Garrett +850
TJ Watt +1000
Nick Bosa +1100
Jared Verse +1500
Will Anderson Jr +1500
Maxx Crosby +1600
Jalen Carter +2200
Nick Bonito +3300
Trey Hendrickson +3300
Patrick Surtain II +3300
Chris Jones +4700
Kyle Hamilton +5000
Kerby Joseph +5000
Zach Braun +5500
Josh Hines-Allen +5500
Dexter Lawrence II +6000
Nolan Smith Jr +6000
Derek Stingley Jr +6000
2025 NFL Best Bets: Defensive Player of the Year Odds, Trends, and Past Winners
TJ Watt (+1000)
When it comes to the favorites, T.J. Watt jumps off the board at 10/1. The 2021 winner of the award still sits with two fewer wins than his older brother, JJ. He had a down year in 2024 when it came to sacks, racking up just 11. He’ll be looking to return to his 2923 form when he piled up 19 quarterback take downs. He just got paid big time, and he’s a popular player, and his name associated with his brothers will keep him high on voters’ radars.
Josh Allen-Hines (+5500)
The Jaguars are a team I’m very high on going into the 2025 season. Part of why I think they’ll be very improved is Josh Allen-Hines returning to 2023 form. In 2023, Allen-Hines had 17.5 sacks, 66 tackles, and even picked off a pass. His numbers came down last season when the team struggled. I’m expecting a much better Jaguars offense under the guidance of Liam Coen, which will lead to the Jaguars having a lead and other teams needing to throw the ball against them. That’ll give Hines-Allen an opportunity to pin his ears back and work his magic. Another 17+ sack season for a team that improves greatly, and at 55/1, Allen-Hines suddenly becomes a great value.
Christian Gonzalez (+8500)
Going way down the board here for a player I have my eyes on if you are looking for a long shot to bet on. Gonzalez makes me think of Patrick Surtain II, last year’s winner. He’s entering his third season, although he missed most of his rookie year. He looked great last year for a bad Patriots team, which, like Jacksonville, is poised for a big turnaround this year. Give this lockdown corner the tutelage of Mike Vrabel, and this could be his breakout season, like we just saw from Surtain.
